Criminal Justice

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 7557: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY --THE RHODE ISLAND FIREARM INDUSTRY ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2026

HB 7557, the Rhode Island Firearm Industry Accountability Act of 2026, requires firearm manufacturers, distributors, and retailers ("firearm industry members") to implement safety measures preventing sales to prohibited buyers, straw purchasers, or firearm traffickers. It mandates "reasonable controls" to ensure compliance with existing firearm laws, prohibits advertising that promotes illegal use, and bans sales to entities violating these rules. Violations could result in civil penalties up to $10,000 per offense, injunctions, or loss of business permits. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, and applies to civil cases filed after that date.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires firearm industry to prevent sales to prohibited buyers, reducing gun violence and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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passed · Rhode Island · House Jun 9, 2026

HB 8058: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- COMPUTER CRIME

Makes it unnecessary to prove that a person's transmission of electronic communications be for the sole purpose of harassment before being found guilty of cyberstalking or cyberharassment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill lowers burden of proof for cyberstalking convictions, expanding criminalization without reform benefits or defendant protections.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill lowers burden of proof for cyberstalking convictions, strengthening online safety protections under digital rights framework.90% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 29, 2026

HB 7584: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- CRIMINAL INJURIES COMPENSATION

Funds the state crime victim compensation program through an additional one dollar ($1.00) fine on traffic violations, exclusive of violations related to the parking of vehicles.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunds state crime victim compensation program through new $1 traffic violation fine, creating dedicated revenue stream for essential public service.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds victim compensation program via traffic fines, directly supporting crime victims within criminal justice system95% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 8083: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS

HB 8083 allows individuals convicted of non-violent felonies to have their criminal records cleared (expunged) after 10 years from their conviction date. This applies to people with multiple non-violent felony convictions, not violent offenses. The key provision sets a 10-year waiting period from the date of conviction before expungement becomes possible. The bill directly affects eligible individuals seeking to remove past non-violent felony convictions from their legal records.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables expungement of non-violent felony records after 10 years, directly advancing criminal justice reform by reducing barriers to rehabilitation and recidivism prevention.95% confidence

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signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 23, 2026

HB 8060: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- IMPERSONATION AND IDENTITY FRAUD

Protects individuals and businesses from those who knowingly impersonate an entity with the intent of facilitating fraud. This act would also protect individuals and businesses from digital forgery.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by creating new offenses for impersonation/fraud, aligning with oppose indicators.90% confidence

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 8097: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF LICENSES -- VIOLATIONS

Adds criminal penalties for operation of a motor vehicle after a suspension for lack of physical or mental fitness, or as a result of frequency of offenses pursuant to § 31-11-7 (a)(1)(i) or as result of a court ordered suspension.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds criminal penalties for driving after license suspension, expanding criminalization of traffic violations rather than advancing reform or reducing penalties.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAdds criminal penalties for driving after suspension due to fitness or repeated offenses, enhancing road safety standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Driver Licensing

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 8071: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS

This bill requires background checks for all ammunition purchases and transfers, prohibiting sales or transfers without a successful check. It directly affects individuals buying or receiving ammunition in the state. The law would implement this background check as a mandatory condition for every ammunition transaction.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates background checks for ammunition to prevent illegal access, reducing gun violence risk within criminal justice framework.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 30, 2026

SB 2595: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- CHILDREN

Prohibits the distribution, transfer, or possession of any material that depicts a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct and is obscene and lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits child sexual abuse material, a core criminal justice measure that advances public safety and law enforcement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 7550: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- DISORDERLY CONDUCT

HB 7550 criminalizes intentionally obstructing traffic on federal or state highways through loitering (e.g., standing, sitting, or kneeling) in ways that could delay vehicles. It creates a new felony offense with mandatory minimum sentences: 1-3 years for a first offense (with 60 days non-suspendable), 3-5 years for a second, and 5-10 years for a third. If death occurs due to obstruction delaying an emergency vehicle, penalties increase to 5-30 years (with 5 years non-suspendable). This law directly affects individuals who block highways, such as protesters or others loitering in traffic lanes.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory sentences for traffic obstruction, expanding criminalization and reducing defendant rights through felony charges with fixed penalties.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 2559: JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $3,000,000 TO RHODE ISLAND LEGAL SERVICES, INC.

This resolution appropriates $3,000,000 from the state treasury for fiscal year 2026-2027 to Rhode Island Legal Services, Inc. (RILS), a nonprofit providing legal aid to vulnerable Rhode Islanders. The funding directly supports RILS’s work assisting low-income residents, domestic violence victims, veterans, and seniors with critical issues like housing, food security, family safety, and employment rights. The appropriation allows RILS to maintain its statewide services, which historically handle thousands of cases annually to help clients achieve stability and self-sufficiency.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $3M to fund legal aid for vulnerable populations, directly supporting essential public services through state budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds legal aid for vulnerable populations facing justice-related issues like domestic violence and housing, directly supporting access to fair representation and civil rights within criminal justice system.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds legal aid for housing issues affecting low-income residents, directly supporting housing access and tenant rights through RILS services.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds legal aid provider assisting with employment rights, directly supporting workers' access to legal help for job-related issues.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill funds RILS, which explicitly assists veterans with legal aid for housing, employment, and family safety issues as part of its core services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Domestic Violence

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